After suffering an injury, Copper Queens and Orlando Pride forward Grace Chanda will depart from the national team camp in France and return to the United States for medical attention.
Racheal Nachula, who was on standby took Chanda’s spot in the Copper Queens squad ahead of Sunday’s match against Australia which ended in a heartbreaking 6-5 loss.
The player’s injury was confirmed by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) and her club, Orlando Pride. The nature of the injury will be determined following examinations.
“She will be departing France to return to Orlando to be fully evaluated by our physicians and medical staff. Until our medical team sees her, we can’t comment on the injury at this time,” Orlando Pride exclusively told BolaNews.
FAZ has also not disclosed the nature of her injury.
Orlando Pride confident Chanda will regain her form
In March of this year, the 26-year-old made a comeback to the national team after being included in Bruce Mwape’s 34-member provisional roster for the Olympic Games qualifiers against Morocco. This came after overcoming a lengthy illness, which prevented her from competing in the June 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Chanda had not played football for eight months until May 12th, when she was subbed on in her former club Madrid CF’s 6-1 win over Valancia in Liga F. She scored the fifth goal in that match.
On Thursday, she started for Zambia in their Group B opener at the Olympics against the USA. She played 37 minutes and was subbed off as her side lost 3-0.
Chanda’s club, Orlando Pride, is optimistic she will regain her form . They want her back in Orlando for medical treatment as soon as possible.
The NWSL club signed her as a free agent in May and she is yet to make her debut.
